Architectural Visualization by Tolgahan Güngür

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The Area:

I would like to begin by talking about your architectural visualizations ' let's call them paradise homes since they look like a cross between reality and surreal paradise. It's that kind of feeling you get looking at a vacation postcard somebody else sent you.

Tolgahan:

Yes, you are correct about it looking like paradise. When I make these buildings, I always try to achieve the best view. Not only do I want to create a look that reflects reality, but I also want to simulate a surreal paradise at the same time. At the moment I don't feel as though I am good enough, but I still enjoy making these architectural pieces and I put all my efforts into doing the best.

The Area:

The colors are perfect ' the lighting is always so warm and welcoming and the sky is always a happy blue. How did you learn this technique?

Tolgahan:

Whenever I start to draw a sketch, I first think about color which is one of the most important principles of drawing. Using HDRI to have that good balance between color and the atmosphere of the sketches helps me to apply colors in the right place. To learn this technique, I made lots of test renders. The most crucial aspects that you have to pay attention to are lighting and shading. The only thing I can say is that learning this technique can be highly demanding ' you need to make so many tests.

The Area:

You always use palm trees and lots of greenery and flowers ' is there any reason why you always structure your drawings around them?

Tolgahan:

Yes I always choose to use lots of plants and flowers because the massive buildings are so gloomy and the best way to break this effect is to add lots of greenery. Also, the palm trees change the atmosphere of the drawing to provide a context for the overall piece.

The Area:

Where do you draw your influences from when you are designing these buildings? Do you draw on elements that are prevalent in your native Turkey? Your style is a combination of minimalism, and sometimes a cross between East and West. Also, there are classical architectural elements.

Tolgahan:

The buildings where I have lived influence me when I design and model. Sometimes, I can take a house from an architectural magazine or book and because I live in Turkey and I am a part of the eastern culture, I can't avoid including eastern styles on a subconscious level - but that's not all the time. Also, I look for new building designs and add them to a scene. I am inspired by contemporary architecture, which is actually the most common in Turkey.

The Area:

How did you begin with architecture ' were you always fascinated by it? Did you go to school for it or was it just a personal hobby?

Tolgahan:

I don't major in architecture, but I am really interested in designing spaces. This is a hobby for me and I might study on it in the future.

The Area:

Before working with 3D, what did you want to be?

Tolgahan:

I wanted to be a graphic designer. I have so many ideas that are waiting to be brought to life, both graphic design and architectural. One idea is to combine 3D with graphic and architectural design to create new styles and bring new interpretations to all these areas.

The Area:

How did you start with 3D, and what was your first 3D package?

Tolgahan:

I started with 3D four years ago. First, I tried 3D Studio Max and after using it for two weeks, I switched to Maya. When I look back on my learning curve for Maya, I can really appreciate the complexities people have trying to learn it.

The Area:

What were you doing in graphic design? Did you have a traditional arts background ' after all, your fantasy/sci-fi pieces are very painterly.

Tolgahan:

I completed numerous school projects, from logo designs for companies, to industrial design, and finally to web design. My last design project was the label of a wine bottle. As for my arts background, I have been studying it since the first year of university. Art schools here prefer people who can draw well. In fact, I was drawing even prior to starting university. I am constantly researching the Renaissance period and its building types.

The Area:

How do you make the clouds? Paint Effects, particles, Fluids, or do you just paint them with your hands when compositing? What about the plants and trees? Are they Paint Effects?

Tolgahan:

Usually I use the tablet when making clouds...that way it has a different mood.

I will eventually use Maya Paints Effects and Fluids ' it's just that there are too many configurations and it takes time to learn.

The Area:

Do you make the textures in Maya or paint onto the rendered image in Photoshop?

Tolgahan:

When I prepare textures, I use Maya for some parts that require bump mapping. Then I finish them in Photoshop. Since textures need to be changed many times, and change means more render time, I prefer this approach since it does not affect the performance of the computer and I am able to complete it in a shorter period of time.

The Area:

Generally how long do you take to create one image?

Tolgahan:

It's really difficult to say exactly how long the process takes, but I can say about a week's time. That's because the first draft render is about 5000 pixel wide.

The Area:

What kind of computer do you have?

Tolgahan:

The computer I used is a Pentium 3.2Ghz with 512mb RAM and an ATI Radeon card - I need a new dual machine!

The Area:

Why do you prefer to use just polygons?

Tolgahan:

I don't just use polygons. For some models, I start off with NURBS and then convert them to polygons afterwards. The primary reason for using polygons is because it is easy to make changes.

The Area:

Can you tell me a bit about Poseidon and the two rings? Are you also interested in materials and industrial design? Ever consider starting your own jewellery design? ;-)

Tolgahan:

Actually I made these rings for a friend of mine to use in a school project. I used NURBS for modeling and for rendering, then I added lots of planes with greyscale ramp for reflection and refraction. Poseidon was my graphic project which I worked crazy hard on and finished (from conception to final render) in a week. I wonder if it looks at all like a perfume bottle. I took a lot of inspiration from yachts..:)

The Area:

Do you have your own company? Or you work alone?

Tolgahan:

I currently don't have my own company ' I'm still a student! I do have a partner though, but I've ever taken any work on my own.

The Area:

How is the 3D scene in Turkey? Are there are lots of independent artists who use 3D for their work? What about the studios for television, commercials, films?

Tolgahan:

In Turkey, there are only a few companies that work with 3D. 3D is used mostly in the television industry, mainly for advertisements. Currently, 3D is not used in film. As for independent artists, I know Cemre Ozkurt and Can Tuncer. Can Tuncer works for Weta Digital and Cemre Ozkurt is at Blur Studios.

The Area:

Are there Turkish learning resources for those who want to learn or do people mostly just teach themselves by playing with the software?

Tolgahan:

In Turkey, there are not enough resources to support the design field. With the exception of traditional arts, you cannot find a school where you can major in design, or even find courses where you can use your personal goals and initiative to learn.

The Area:

What are your plans for the future?

Tolgahan:

I've been interested in the visual fields since I was fifteen, but right now my only goal is to graduate from universty. I've decided to study enviromental design and matte painting. Perhaps one day I will create my own company. Or, I dream about working abroad for a company that produces architectural illustrations.

13 Comments

nfpiquita

Posted on: 22 October 2007 8:33 pm

Hi there i think your work is very good and detailed, lots of work put in to it and time, well done. i would like to ask one thing, since you use Maya, what renderer do you use?

Thanks
Nick

jai_3d

Posted on: 5 November 2007 9:34 am

good design/amazing color combination

nikacgi

Posted on: 5 March 2008 5:47 pm

Very good

buraque

Posted on: 16 April 2008 4:08 am

I am an architect living in Turkey doing archviz stuff and using Maya. I am in this biz for 9 yrs, so I have sth to add.
3D business in Turkey is a growing one with more than a dozen top quality studios doing TV ads and movie VFX. If you add to that the print, game and archviz, it is coming pretty strong.

Congrats to Tolgahan as he showed everyone that 3DSMax doesn't have to be the defacto standard in archiz. In my work, I use Rhino, 3dMax (only for VRay) and my beloved Maya (I also used Lightwave and XSI for years), and I have enough experience to make a comparison. But you know the end of this sentence anyway keep up the great work Tolgahan

wow_anders

Posted on: 17 April 2008 3:58 pm

Wow, I really liked this stuff!

You're very good and it was also inspiring. I'm also wondering what kind of renders this is.